40 Fascinating Historical Facts You Won’t Learn in School
38. Marie Antoinette’s Fun Village
For a different kind of escape from royal life, Marie Antoinette delighted in a cute peasant village she commissioned and built called Hameau de la Reine. It was her rustic bolthole, where she revelled in fantasising about a less complicated life. Alone on the grounds, wearing a peasant dress, she would wander around and talk to the performers simulating farmers.
Even though she lived a lavish life, this village was her way of connecting with regular people, even if it was a bit fake. It’s interesting to think about how the queen found joy in this pretend world while her kingdom faced serious problems.
This fun escape shows a different side of Marie Antoinette one that wanted to get away from the pressures of being a queen. You can only wonder how she felt when she had to return to the harsh realities of court life after spending playful hours in her fantasy.
39. The Strange Funeral of Santa Anna’s Leg
General Antonio López de Santa Anna got a little eccentric after he lost a leg in battle. In 1838, he held a lavish military funeral for the amputated limb, replete with an ornate coach and a procession through the streets of Mexico City. It’s hard to believe he treated his leg like a fallen hero!
During his funeral, people sang songs and read poems to celebrate what was left of him. But two years later, when his political downfall his leg was dug up and disrespected by angry citizens.
The weirdness of this tale illustrates how quickly the balance of power can shift and how hastily public opinion can change. It makes you consider the odd ways we celebrate things we feel are important to our lives.
40. Winston Churchill’s Smoking Habits
Winston Churchill was famous for his love of cigars, and he was quite the enthusiast! He is known to have smoked 8 to 10 cigars a day, sometimes even 15, and enjoyed every minute of his habit. It’s incredible to think that he enjoyed smoking that much, actually referring to it as one of life’s greatest pleasures.
He would often let his cigars burn down to the nub, frequently chewing on them afterward. This level of dedication to his vice raises a number of questions regarding how he managed to be so productive with such an addiction.
His smoking has become part of his legacy, symbolizing both his larger-than-life personality and the era he lived in. It makes you wonder how he would fit into today’s health-conscious world!